Cooling device for a continuous casting machine

ABSTRACT

A cooling device for a continuous casting machine comprising a number of nozzles placed in a row one after another in a given arc of a circle near a border of a belt partially wound around a casting drum. The nozzles impinging a substantially continuous cooling liquid blade onto the belt in a direction transverse to the belt through a gap extending along a length of the belt and formed between said belt and an arcuated body placed near said belt. Deflection means are also provided to return drainage to a collector. The formed liquid blade or lamina licking the belt improves remarkably the cooling efficiency and the operation conditions.

United States Patent 1 Properzi Apr. 2, 1974 COOLING DEVICE FOR ACONTINUOUS CASTING MACHINE [76] Inventor: Ilario Properzi, Via Vittorpisani-8,

Milan, Italy [22] Filed: Mar. 29, 1971 [21] Appl. N0.: 128,792

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 9, 1970 Italy 23100/70 [52]US. Cl. 164/278, 164/283 [51] Int. Cl 822d 11/06 [58] Field of Search164/278, 283, 348, 126, 164/128, 144, 297, 87, 154, 122, 276

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,333,629 8/1967 Ward164/278 3,474,853 10/1969 Hazelett 164/278 3,279,000 10/1966 Cofer164/254 X 3,596,702 8/1971 Ward 164/126 3,605,867 9/1971 Gerding 164/8710/1971 Lenaeus 164/87 Primary Examiner-J. Spencer Overholser AssistantExaminer.lohn S. Brown Attorney, Agent, or FirmDr. G. Modiano; Dr. A.

Josif [57] ABSTRACT A cooling device for a continuous casting machinecomprising a number of nozzles placed in a row one after another in agiven arc of a circle near a border of a belt partially wound around acasting drum. The nozzles impinging a substantially continuous coolingliquid blade onto the belt in a direction transverse to the belt througha gap extending along a length of the belt and formed between said beltand an arcuated body placed near said belt. Deflection means are alsoprovided to return drainage to a collector. The formed liquid blade orlamina licking the belt improves remarkably the cooling efficiency andthe operation conditions.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures WENIE APR 2:914

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sum 3 OF 3 INVENTOR rio PROPERZI Ilo BY AGENT COOLING DEVICE FOR ACONTINUOUS CASTING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates to a cooling device for a continuous casting machine,and more precisely to a device for the supplying of cooling liquid onthe outside of the metallic belt, winding around the casting drum, for agiven angle.

In my U.S. Patent application 728,864, filed on May 13, 1968, and nowUS. Pat. No. 3,583,474 a device is provided, in which nozzles, placedaround the casting drum, direct cooling liquid jets on the outside ofthe belt wound, for a given are of a circle, on the same drum. Thecooling liquid jets are directed in a direction transverse to the beltitself.

The nozzles can be arranged in a single row so as to direct the jets inthe same direction or in opposite rows. The first arrangement has shownin practice to be the most suitable to afford very advantageousimprovements of a better efficiency in thermic exchange.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The main object of the present invention isprecisely that of conceiving a cooling device of an improved type, ofsecure operation and suitable to guarantee a uniform and regular coolingof the ingot during its formation, relative to its portions of contactwith the belt.

Another object of the invention is that of conceiving a device, by meansof which, the formation of vapour in the cooling zone of the belt, isreduced to a minimum, so as to considerably reduce the danger of defectsor malformations in the ingot, produced in consequence of a disuniformthermic exchange.

A further object of the invention, is that of conceiving a device bymeans of which the cooling liquid jets are directed and guided in a wayto avoid formations of steam clouds or sprays which may allow cooling atunsuitable points or impede visibility where a direct visual control isnecessary on behalf of the operators.

These and still further objects are achieved by a cooling device for acontinuous casting machine, according to the invention, comprising aplurality of nozzles placed one in a row to the other near a border of abelt partially wound on a casting drum, which nozzles are arranged in away to direct cooling liquid jets in a direction transverse to saidbelt, the said jets being guided by a plate-like arcuated body definingan interspace for the formation of alamina of a substantially continuouscooling liquid licking for a given arc of a circle, said belt,substantially for all the width of said belt, deflection means beinglikewise connected to said plate-like arcuated body to diverge saidlamina of cooling liquid towards a drainage collector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further characteristics and advantagesof the invention will better appear from the detailed description of apreferred but not exclusive embodiment of a cooling device for acontinuous casting machine, according to the invention, illustrated byway of indicative and not limiting examples in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the cooling device according to the inventionapplied to a machine for continuous casting;

FIG. 2 shows, in a larger scale, a transverse section taken along theline II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows, in a still larger scale and in a transverse section, adetail of the device according to the invention; and

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates, in projection, the distribution of thejets of the device on the belt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to suchFigures, the cooling device according to the invention, is mounted ontwo sectorlike members 1 and 2, around a casting drum or wheel 3 havinga peripheral groove 4. Within said groove 4, the liquid metal is cast,and it gradually forms the continuous ingot, there held, in theformation phase, by a metallic belt 5 which adheres for a given areportion to the said casting drum 3 and is deviated by two transmissionrollers 6 (said belt 5 is further deviated at a given distance from thedrum 3, by means of a pulley, not shown).

The drum 3 is cooled at the inside by means of a series of nozzles 7applied to a support structure 8 together with which the internalcooling device is formed.

Each of said two sectors 1 and 2 relative to the external cooling deviceis sustained by a respective pin 9 fixed to a support structureincluding a plate 10 movably mounted to and fro on respective guidesrigid to a fixed plate 11 (FIG. 2). The movement of the movable plate 10occurs according to a radial direction and is obtained by means of afluid dynamic cylinder 12, connected by one part, at 13, to the sameplate, and by another part at 14, to the fixed plate 11. Each of thesectors 1 and 2 is connected to its relative pin 9 by means of a sleeve15 which can slide for a short distance on the pin itself withoutnevertheless being able to rotate relative to it because of the presenceof a key 15a. The axial movement of the sleeve allows adjustment byinterplacing rings 16 between the sleeve itself and stop projectingparts; one of such projecting parts is formed by a locking element 17 inthe form of a cylindrical cover, connected by means of screws 18 to thepin 9. It is evident, taking the rings 16 from one part or from anotherrelative to the sleeve 15, that this sleeve can be moved parallely, forsmall amounts, to the axis of the casting drum 3. Ring 16 may be split.

The angular position of the pin 9 and therefore of the relative sector 1or 2 can be adjusted by providing a friction locking of the same pin tothe movable plate 10. For this reason, the enlarged base portion of thepin 9 is connected to the plate 10 by means of a metal ring 19 fixedwith screws 20. By tightening these screws 20, a friction locking of thepin 9 on the plate 10 is obtained, while by loosening the same screwsthe pin 9 can be rotated for a short distance about its own axis, so asto exactly adjust the distance of the sector 1 or 2 with respect to thecasting drum 3, for all the development of the same sector.

To the movable plate 10, a screw 21 is connected, which forms anadjustable upper limit for engagement with the body of the fluid dynamiccylinder 12. By screwing or unscrewing said screw 21, the distance ofthe relative sector 1 or 2 with respect to the casting drum 3 isregulated. It should be noted that the arrangement shown in .FIG. 2 isan operation arrangement, while, for allowing the changing of the belt5, the

wheel 3 or other maintenance operations or inspections, the fluiddynamic cylinder 12 is operated in a way to outwardly move the plate andtherefore the sector l or 2, supported from it in a radial direction.

Each sector 1 or 2 is formed, according to the present invention, from aplurality of nozzles placed one in a row to the other near a border ofthe belt 5 and mounted at substantially radial axes with respect to thecasting drum 3. As is clearly visible in FIG. 3, each nozzle 22 has aspoon-like substantially arcuated hollow 22a at the outlet hole 22bdefining conveying means for the cooling liquid jets so as to divergeand direct the jets towards the belt 5. Each nozzle 22 is furtherconnected to a valve element 23 suitable to control the cooling fluidsent by means of a collector 24. The valve elements 23 allow the nozzles22 to be connected or disconnected at will, so as to adjust the coolingeffect.

The water jets 25 coming from the nozzles 22 thus undergo an enlargementand a deviation because of the spoon-like hollow 22a which produces awater blade or lamina of small thickness directed transversally andtangentially on the belt 5. The enlargement of the jets provides that anearly continuous blade of water is formed, adhering to the belt 5. Toensure a greater adherence and a more regular flow of the water blade, aplate-like arcuated element 26, is provided for each sector 1 or 2. Saidelement 26 is placed along the belt 5 at a short distance therefrom andextends concentrically to the belt 5. The belt 5 and the element 26define therebetween an interspace for the passage of the cooling water(FIGS. 2 and 3). The width in section of the element 26 is near to thatof the belt 5, so as to form, during its operation, a water blade 25a(FIG. 3) which is maintained adherent to the belt 5, practically for allof its width.

The element 26 is bevelled at 26a and 26b for a better conveyence of theWater jets, whilst the arcuated projection 27 is provided, whichlaterally surrounds the element 26 and defines deflection means in sucha way so as to convey the water which has already lapped on the belt 5,through the discharge passage defined between the projection 27 and thearcuated element 26 towards a collection canal 28. At this collectioncanal 28, holes 29 are provided, placed a short distance from eachother, for the drainage of water towards a lower collection tank (notshown). Some of the holes 29 can be closed, for example by means of aplate fixed with screws or the like, so as to impede the drainage ofwater at some points of the cooling device, depending upon the angularposition of this cooling device with respect to the inletting of themolten metal.

The connecting of the cooling device, according to the invention, towater feeding ducts, occurs at connectors 30a (FIG. 1) applied to thesectors 1 and 2.

The structure according to the invention, further pro-,

vides protection for the nozzles 22, formed from an arcuated and shapedelement 30. Said element 30 partially covers the nozzles 22 in a way soas to impede the fall on them of possible liquid metal splashes, whichcould damage the nozzles themselves.

From the foregoing, the operation of the cooling device according to theinvention is evident.

The water coming from the collector 24 is diverged from the nozzles 22into jets 25 which enlarge until forming a nearly continuous blade ofwater 25a. This water perfectly adheres to the belt 5 providing anefficient cooling.

Because of the particular structure of the nozzles 22, there is aminimum load loss, while the water blade, which is formed at the belt 5,is of small thickness in a radial direction. The water layer comprisedbetween the belt 5 and the arcuated element 26 is renewed quickly,because working pressures of several atmospheres are provided so thatthe removal of heat is very efficient.

A projection 27, causes a deviation of the water jets towards thecollection canal 28, and projecting slightly beyond the belt 5 towardsthe axis of the casting drum 3, advantageously impedes the formation ofsplashes or steam clouds beyond the projection itself. This isparticularly useful in that it avoids unwanted coolings, for example onthe liquid metal at the inlet zone, and ensures a perfect visibility inthe zones, where, a direct observance is necessary on behalf of theoperators.

As can be seen, the two sectors 1 and 2 of the external cooling device,ensure an efficient cooling action on the belt adhering to the castingdrum 3 between the transmission rollers 6, that is between the inlet andoutlet zones of the continuous ingot.

The thickness of the water blade 25a, can be simply adjusted for eachsector 1 or 2, by adjusting the screw 21, while the uniformity of such athickness can be obtained by suitably rotating, by small movements, thepin 9. The truing up can then be obtained, as said, by moving the sleeve15 on the pin 9.

The invention as conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications andchanges all falling within the inventive concept.

Thus for example, supplementary nozzles can be connected to the sectors1 and 2, for the cooling of the lateral portions of the groove 4 in thedrum 3.

In practice the materials used as well as the dimensions can be anyaccording to the requirements and furthermore all the elements can besubstituted with other technically equivalent means.

I claim:

1. A cooling device for a continuous ingot casting machine of the typehaving a rotatable casting wheel with a peripheral groove and a belthaving an inner face describing a concave curve and enclosing an arcportion of said groove for defining a rotatable mold therewith,comprising a plurality of nozzles arranged to direct cooling liquid jetsagainst said belt substantially transversally to the outer face thereofdescribing a convex curve along said are portion, and deflection meansfor deflecting the cooling liquid jets leaving said outer convex curvedface into a drainage collector, wherein, according to the improvement,said cooling device further comprises a plate-like arcuated elementextending along at least a part of said are portion facing said outerconvex curved face of said belt at a distance therefrom and definingtherewith a substantially uniform interspace extending across thetransverse extension of said outer convex curved face of said belt forthe formation of a continuous lamina of cooling liquid between saidelement and said outer convex curved face of said belt, and meansarranged sidewards of said element between said nozzles and saidinterspace defining a conveying path for said cooling liquid jetstowards said interspace.

2. A cooling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said nozzles haveoutlet holes arranged to eject cooling liquid jets preferablysubstantially radially to said casting wheel and wherein said meansdefining a conveying path for said cooling liquid jets comprise asubstatially spoon-like arcuated hollow arranged near said outlet holesand shaped for deviating said jets towards said interspace and enlargingsaid jets in a tangential direction with respect to said wheel.

3. A cooling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said deflection meanscomprise an arcuated projection arranged spaced from said arcuatedelement at the side thereof and projecting slightly beyond said belttowards said casting wheel axis, said arcuated projection causing adeviation of the cooling liquid lamina towards said drainage collectorand avoiding the formation of steam clouds and of splashes of coolingliquid.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an arcuated andshaped element partially surrounding said nozzles for protection fromsplashes of liquid metal.

5. A cooling device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a supportstructure having at least a sectorlike member including at least saidnozzles and said plate-like arcuated element and a pin arrangedsubstantially parallel to the axis of the casting wheel and supportingsaid sector-like member, said pin being capable of partial rotationabout its axis with respect to said support structure for angularadjustment of said sectorlike member.

6. A cooling device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said sector-likemember is provided with a sleeve member mounted axially displaceable onsaid pin.

7. A cooling device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said supportstructure is movable in a to and fro direction substantially radially tothe casting wheel and connected to adjustable stop means for theadjustment of the interspace between said belt and said plate-likearcuated element.

1. A cooling device for a continuous ingot casting machine of the typehaving a rotatable casting wheel with a peripheral groove and a belthaving an inner face describing a concave curve and enclosing an arcportion of said groove for defining a rotatable mold therewith,comprising a plurality of nozzles arranged to direct cooling liquid jetsagainst said belt substantially transversally to the outer face thereofdescribing a convex curve along said arc portion, and deflection meansfor deflecting the cooling liquid jets leaving said outer convex curvedface into a drainage collector, wherein, according to the improvement,said cooling device further comprises a plate-like arcuated elementextending along at least a part of said arc portion facing said outerconvex curved face of said belt at a distance therefrom and definingtherewith a substantially uniform interspace extending across thetransverse extension of said outer convex curved face of said belt forthe formation of a continuous lamina of cooling liquid between saidelement and said outer convex curved face of said belt, and meansarranged sidewards of said element between said nozzles and saidinterspace defining a conveying path for said cooling liquid jetstowards said interspace.
 2. A cooling device as claimed in claim 1,wherein said nozzles have outlet holes arranged to eject cooling liquidjets preferably substantially radially to said casting wheel and whereinsaid means defining a conveying path for said cooling liquid jetscomprise a substatially spoon-like arcuated hollow arranged near saidoutlet holes and shaped for deviating said jets towards said interspaceand enlarging said jets in a tangential direction with respect to saidwheel.
 3. A cooling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein saiddeflection means comprise an arcuated projection arranged spaced fromsaid arcuated element at the side thereof and projecting slightly beyondsaid belt towards said casting wheel axis, said arcuated projectioncausing a deviation of the cooling liquid lamina towards said drainagecollector and avoiding the formation of steam clouds and of splashes ofcooling liquid.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising anarcuated and shaped element partially surrounding said nozzles forprotection from splashes of liquid metal.
 5. A cooling device as claimedin claim 1, further comprising a support structure having at least asector-like member including at least said nozzles and said plate-likearcuated element and a pin arranged substantially parallel to the axisof the casting wheel and supporting said sector-like member, said pinbeing capable of partial rotation about its axis with respect to saidsupport structure for angular adjustment oF said sector-like member. 6.A cooling device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said sector-like memberis provided with a sleeve member mounted axially displaceable on saidpin.
 7. A cooling device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said supportstructure is movable in a to and fro direction substantially radially tothe casting wheel and connected to adjustable stop means for theadjustment of the interspace between said belt and said plate-likearcuated element.